It came to my attention after playing the F.E.A.R. demo recently and my computer struggling to produce a steady frame rate at 800x600, that my AMD XP 2800+, 512 MB Memory, ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 256 MB system is a bit old. I even toned down many of the settings and it still lagged up. And F.E.A.R. is over a year old.

I've decided on most the components for my next big upgrade, except for everything (I thought it was just 2, but I want as much feedback as I can get):

1.) Processor: AMD FX or X2?

With the relatively new FX DC series (FX-60 and up I believe), it's now possible to have AMD's flagship multi-media processors come in pairs. However, the large price tag isn't entirely justifiable by some benchmarks I've seen showing non-overclocked X2 4800+ outpacing the FX-60, which costs around $150 extra.

I've been going back and forth between the 4800+ and the FX-60 DC. Anyone have comments or experience with these processors or others? Like the 4400+ or the 5000+ or any of the FX series?

2.) Memory: for the type of AMD system I'm talking about, should I go beyond PC3200?

I've been looking at Asus and Abit motherboards, and most of the new socket-939 MBs talk about having onboard PC3200 support, etc. What about all these PC3500 to PC8500? Are most of these for Intel based systems? It's been so long since a big upgrade, I fell behind in what memory goes with what type of system. I do want really fast memory though, and about 2 GB's worth. Also, brand wise, I've heard that Crucial and Kingston are pretty good, though I'm leaning more toward Crucial.

3.) Video cards: I was up to date on ATI's x850 XT, but then I got lost:

Now that ATI has its x1000 series up to x1950, I'm not sure which of the x1xxx is a budget video card, medium level card, or top of the line. I'm pretty sure the x1950 XT Plutonium 1 GB or whatever is the cream of the crop, but what about the x1600? or the x1300? I bought my Radeon 9800 Pro 256 MB when the x850 XT was considered king of the ATI line. Now I don't know how lousy the x850 XT is to the newer chipset. Any body with stories about going from a 9000 series to x8xx series or from the x8xx to x1xxx?

4.) Power Supply: I always buy the cheapest albiet 400W or more power supply. I don't want to do that any more.

With this new system, I'm seeing a 500W+ power supply being dropped into my system. What's a good brand or type? My current one is an Allied (read "generic"), and it's served me well for the last couple of years, but I've had two others in my system that went out. I want to get a higher quality one, maybe with good cable management (i.e. you can unplug cables and add cables). Also, I want my system to be stealthy (no fancy lights, quiet, etc.), so a nice, low-noise power supply would be great.

5.) Fans: Quiet and cool.

I mentioned above that my system should not keep me up at night. I want it have excellent air circulation as well. What fans are VERY, VERY quiet, but also move huge to storm-sized quantities of air? I currently have 3 case fans, a large video card fan (the built-in one died), the power supply fan and the CPU fan with a basic, thin-fin copper heatsink. Case fans are 80 mm. It's a really adhoc setup though. I want my new system to be less "let's add fans!" and more "let's add fans logically."

I think that's about it. I know that's a lot of stuff, but this is a big upgrade and I want to get it right.

If you are set on AMD I can make some recommendations for Socket AM2, but I honestly think your money would be better spent with Intel at this juncture. Price points are similar and the Conroe has the bang for the buck over AMD nowadays.
For general recommendations though:

PSUs
OCZ PowerStream 600W (600W will be fine if you have no plans for SLi/Crossfire, if you do you MAY want to step up to a 700W or higher unless you go with the 610 watt one below)
PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610W SLi
PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750W Quad-SLi

Vid Cards
Up to your preference here, but you will probably want a DX10 card if you don't plan on upgrading for a while. There are only a few out right now (nVidia 8xxx series) but the AMD/ATI ones will be out soon. The 8800 GS is pretty affordable too.

RAM
AMD based mobos before AM2 do not support DDR2 RAM. If your heart is set on AMD and you want the high-spec RAM, you will need to go with AM2. I still think a Conroe system would make you much happier. Out of the better memory out there at DDR2 800 and up, there are a few names that stand out: (in no certain order)
Crucial Ballistix
Corsair XMS2
OCZ Gold or Platinum
Buffalo Firestix
GeiL Ultra
Patriot Extreme Performance

DDR2 667
DDR2 675
DDR2 800

The rest really depends on whether you stick with AMD or go with Intel. Hope that helps.

Get a Core 2 Duo. You won't regret it.

Quote: Originally Posted by Zaltan Get a Core 2 Duo. You won't regret it.

Zaltan and Goodfoot are right. AMD has nothing on Intel at the moment - an overclocked Core 2 E6300 (the cheapest Core 2 Intel sell) will outperform an FX-60 with ease.

I concur. Get the AMD cpu made by Intel. Core2 Duo all the way baby :-)

What about the X2 5200+ and the new AM2 socket and DDR2 RAM? Would going Intel still be a better option?

Quote: Originally Posted by spl3001 What about the X2 5200+ and the new AM2 socket and DDR2 RAM? Would going Intel still be a better option?

Right now Intel will always be your clear winner. Just look at some benchmarks...Intel blows AMD away. Check out this link

Quote: Originally Posted by spl3001 What about the X2 5200+ and the new AM2 socket and DDR2 RAM? Would going Intel still be a better option?

Not going Intel would be a total waste of money and the time it took you to earn it.
My lowly Core2 Duo E6300 smokes anything AMD has. And it doesn't hurt that it OC's
from 1.86 GHz to 3.15 GHz on air either.The E6300 is $187 but you'd be better off with
the E6600 at $316. That's only $25 more than the X2.

I wasn't entirely correct AM2 does have one thing on the Conroes performance-wise, and that is memory bandwidth due to the on-die controller. So DDR2 RAM gets better performance on an AM2 board (at least currently).
Other than that, it is a no-brainer to go with the Conroe. My problem is I made the decision before Conroe came out.

Quote: Originally Posted by godfoot I wasn't entirely correct AM2 does have one thing on the Conroes performance-wise, and that is memory bandwidth due to the on-die controller. So DDR2 RAM gets better performance on an AM2 board (at least currently). Other than that, it is a no-brainer to go with the Conroe. My problem is I made the decision before Conroe came out.

While this is true in a synthetic benchmark, show me one thing where the Core2 lacks memory bandwidth. You won't. The only advantage AMD has at the moment with the on die memory controller is that it scales better in 4way and up systems generally used in high end servers.

I'm not a fan boy, I've owned both and I just ordered my Intel Core 2 Duo E6600... You just gotta look at the benchmarks side by side and say am I getting what I'm paying for?